Cuban born and raised artist Elsa Mora is a multidisciplinary artist who
creates by painting, drawing, sculpting, porcelain, book making and jewelry
design. She also creates intricate, whimsical and often profound paper
cuttings. In her art she explores themes of self-containment,
relationships, family and passion and draws inspiration from personal stories and
experiences. Mora developed her art while she was looking after her autisicchild. She soon realized the value of being extremely patient and consistent, and these qualities show in her incredibly detailed papercut works.

Elsa is an ex-art teacher and her wonderful creations have been armed
with the patience gained from her life experiences. At this 3 day workshop in
Portland, Oregon you will learn the art and relaxation of paper cut creations.

In a hands-on dynamic you will learn the main elements of papercutting as a medium of expression but also as a technique for relaxation and stress management. Elsa will do a demonstration of how to create a papercut from the beginning to the end.

The students will start up by practicing some useful cutting techniques using an X-Acto knife and paper. They will complete a step by step beginner's project using a pattern (specially designed for the workshop). The final element of the workshop consists on a more advanced project where each student will use the skills learned in the first stages of the workshop.

Each student will go back home with a completed professional papercut ready to frame.

From Elsa - "My goal is for each student to experience this fascinating medium in a fun way. My hope is that they will feel inspired to keep exploring this medium so they can create their own unique works of art. My hope is also that the students incorporate papercutting in their regular lives as a way of relaxation."

Supplies:

An X-Acto knife with extra #11 blades, found easily at craft supply stores. And a self-healing cutting mat. A small 9" x 12" mat is enough but if any student has a larger mat feel free to bring it.

Paper will be provided.

Papercutting -

All papercuts require an obsessive attention to detail, but Elsa Mora’s beautiful pieces are almost three dimensional in their intricacy. Mora manages to create texture and depth in a difficult medium, and the end results are nothing short of stunning. Each detailed creation was carefully hand cut using a sharp knife and a self-healing cutting mat.

Elsa Mora designed the cover and contributed to the book PAPER CUTTING: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Crafts .

"I draw the general idea and then cut it out with a sharp
knife, little by little—it's pretty straight-forward. The interesting thing is
that papercutting is not as hard as it looks. Some things look hard as a whole,
like my paper pieces, because they include many details. But as I work on a
piece I never focus on the final result. I just do the cuts slowly, one at a
time, and enjoy it as if it was the only cut to do. It's a matter of being
patient. Then, sooner than I imagine, the piece is finished. This is a
philosophy that I bring to all the areas of my life: Don't get overwhelmed by
anticipating anything, be right here right now, in the present, that way things
will look a lot easier and they will also be more enjoyable."

Elsa Mora graduated from art school there in 1990 and
worked as an art teacher for two years. She also worked at an art gallery
before becoming an independent artist. In 1995 she relocated to Havana and in
2001 she moved to the USA. Her work has been published in numerous magazines
and books, it has also been shown around the world in galleries and museums.
Elsa currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband, who is a film
producer, and their three children. Mora’s work is represented by Couturier Gallery in LA and Phyllis Kind Gallery in NYC.

Itinerary

Arrive at Ace Hotel, get settled and meet in lobby for walk to location where we will gather for Meet + Greet.

Dinner to follow (not included in workshop fees.

July 12, 2013

9:00 - Meet in lobby

Demonstration, discussion and practice cutting techniques using an X-Acto knife and paper. This step by step process wll be a great opportunity to give you the basics of paper cutting and Elsa will guide you through the process of how you can cut these pieces all by yourself. You will learn how to cut curves, the proper length of cuts, how to hold the knife, what kind of paper to use and how to set your mood into the perfect relaxed feeling to work perfectly to complete your project with exacting details.

July 13, 2013

Continue to work on skills. Complete a step by step beginner's project using a pattern. Elsa will create a special design for this workshop for you to complete.

July 14, 2013

More advanced techniques will be taught today. The class will work on the final element of the workshop which consists of a more technical project and the students will use all the skills learned in the first stages of the workshop to complete a project they have designed. Everyone will go home with a completed piece ready for framing.